Specialist error or cheating homeowner?
  • LeAnna Norquest
    8
    Test results from a 1027 test. Test was set on a Friday and picked up on Monday. House was occupied, homeowner states that the monitor was plugged into a power strip that was turned off at the time of set and when they noticed it, they turned it on.

    Professional
    Radon Monitor

    Start Date : 4/27/2018

    Start Time : 9:09:00 AM

    End Date : 4/30/2018

    End Time : 8:43:00 AM

    Serial # : 2114044

    Location : Basement Bedroom


    Signature: LeAnna Norquest #348


    Data in pCi/l

    Time Interval 1 Hr


    2.1 2.5 4.0

    TP 2.8 6.1 9.1

    8.7 6.9 7.3

    9.1 8.0 6.9


    9.8 6.5 10.2

    10.2 6.5 7.3

    4.3 6.9 9.1

    7.3 8.3 10.6


    8.0 8.3 5.1

    3.6


    Overall Avg.= 7.1

    EPA Protocol Avg.= 7.7

    0 8 16


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    0 8 16


    ------------------------






    EPA recommends that readings of 4.0 pCi/L

    or higher have actions taken to reduce the

    levels of radon in the home.



    Interpreting the results / graph attached: The

    boxes/sets of numbers represent the presence of

    radon…the more boxes/higher numbers in the sets,

    the higher the concentrations for that hour.


    The "T" indicates that during this measurement

    interval the monitor was disturbed, touched,

    or moved. The "P" indicates that during this

    measurement interval, the power was lost or

    disconnected from the monitor.


    For more information regarding radon, please visit

    the website at www.epa.gov/radon.
    LeAnna Norquest Options
  • Dick Kornbluth
    26
    You only have 28 hours of data for a 47 hr test based on your stated start and end dates and times. The data is also not consistent with a claim that the monitor was never initially turned on since there's 3 hourly data points before the power failure unless it was running on battery power for three hours and then the batteries died. It is fishy to say the least. You need to redo the test.
    Dick Kornbluth Options
  • Admin
    34
    Hi LeAnna,

    If the test was performed on behalf of a buyer while the seller was in control of the house, you may want to request that the agent assist in having the seller pay for a retest. If they refuse, the buyer is within their right to assume (based on the data collected) that the home has elavated levels and make a mitigation system part of the contingency. Did you have the occupant or the appropriate agent sign a non-interference agreement?
    Admin Options
  • LeAnna Norquest
    8
    Test results from a 1027 test. Test was set on a Friday and picked up on Monday. House was occupied, homeowner states that the monitor was plugged into a power strip that was turned off at the time of set and when they noticed it, they turned it on.

    Professional
    Radon Monitor

    Start Date : 4/27/2018

    Start Time : 9:09:00 AM

    End Date : 4/30/2018

    End Time : 8:43:00 AM

    Serial # : 2114044

    Location : Basement Bedroom


    Signature: LeAnna Norquest #348


    Data in pCi/l

    Time Interval 1 Hr


    2.1 2.5 4.0

    TP 2.8 6.1 9.1

    8.7 6.9 7.3

    9.1 8.0 6.9


    9.8 6.5 10.2

    10.2 6.5 7.3

    4.3 6.9 9.1

    7.3 8.3 10.6


    8.0 8.3 5.1

    3.6


    Overall Avg.= 7.1

    EPA Protocol Avg.= 7.7

    0 8 16


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    =========

    TP======

    =============

    ===================

    ==================

    ==============

    ===============

    ===================

    =================

    ==============

    |-+-|-+-|-+-|-+-|-+-|-+-|-+-|-+-|

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    0 8 16


    ------------------------






    EPA recommends that readings of 4.0 pCi/L

    or higher have actions taken to reduce the

    levels of radon in the home.



    Interpreting the results / graph attached: The

    boxes/sets of numbers represent the presence of

    radon…the more boxes/higher numbers in the sets,

    the higher the concentrations for that hour.


    The "T" indicates that during this measurement

    interval the monitor was disturbed, touched,

    or moved. The "P" indicates that during this

    measurement interval, the power was lost or

    disconnected from the monitor.


    For more information regarding radon, please visit

    the website at www.epa.gov/radon.
    2m     — LeAnna Norquest
    LeAnna Norquest Options
  • LeAnna Norquest
    8
    I came to the same conclusion, that the homeowner interrupted the power 3 hours into the test. Then, at some point, reintroduced power. I did nullify the test and required retesting with strong words to the homeowner. By the time I was done he was thinking that monitor could see and hear everything going on in the entire house. Unfortunately I work for does not require the homeowner to sign a non-interference agreement.
    Upon retesting, the retest resulted in an EPA overall average of 4.6, lower than the 7.1 on the first test, so I'm not so sure the homeowner followed closed house conditions during the second test. However, in any case, that house is on it's way to mitigation.
    LeAnna Norquest Options
  • John Reim
    4
    I am continually baffled why "radon professionals" continue to utilize antiquated equipment which does not measure background / environmental data. This is a key component to determining interference or tampering! I just don't get it. I'm not here to bash the 1027. It has certainly proven itself as a dependable workhorse. But Sun does make better monitors for real estate testing, along with countless other manufacturers! Higher sensitivity = More accurate results, and tamper detection built-in, all for a reasonable cost.

    PS -I would not care if my employer did not require a NIA, I would make sure to get one anyway!
    John Reim Options
  • LeAnna Norquest
    8
    John Reim: Not being the owner of the company, I can only advise, not demand. We do run about a 50/50 split between 1027/1028. However, when you're the largest measurement company in Nebraska, with almost 50 monitors, replacement is anything but inexpensive. As for "radon professionals" in quotes, Nebraska is a licensing required state through the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
    LeAnna Norquest Options
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